Various Locations, USA for National Beard & Mustache Championships

This is by far one of the weirdest events I’ve ever attended. The National Beard and Mustache Championships is held in a different location every year. This time, in the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Originally a European contest (started in Germany in 1990), I’ve heard that ‘Merican face fuzz has seen overwhelming victory in the years following.

The number of categories definitely exceeded my expectation, including “freestyle.” What…the heck…is a “freestyle” beard? Well, it’s a category for the category-less. Like, for a guy who can form part of his beard into a birdcage. (That has actually happened.)

I can’t say that I’d be super hyped to attend again in the future, but I am actually pretty glad that I went once. Vive la moustache!

Insider Tip

If you’re really into facial hair, heads up: the 2017 championship will be held in LA, November 10-11.